A NetVUE Vocation Across the Academy Grant is helping Davis & Elkins College students conduct research that explores a topic related to their future vocation. Alexis Serback of Belington was the first D&E student to complete the research seminar as part of the Honors Program.
Serback worked with Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Hillary Wehe to develop the project that examined whether there are differences between how males and females are perceived in criminal justice careers. “The Perceptions of Females in Criminal Justice Professions” focused on a survey Serback created and administered to a range of criminal justice professionals, including corrections officers, prosecuting attorneys, case managers and parole officers. The survey addressed whether females differ in their drive for promotions, client interactions, work-related difficulties and utilization of sick leave. Throughout the fall semester, she collected data and analyzed her results.
Serback’s findings were presented virtually to a group of peers and professors.
“Not only did the Honors Program help me realize how much I love my choice in vocation, it also allowed me to meet new, amazing people and learn new things.” Serback said.
A winter 2020 graduate with a degree in criminal justice, Serback is currently employed at the North Central Community Corrections office in Elkins.
Students selected for the Honors Program take a series of four classes designed to increase focus on vocation, all leading up to the seminar class.
NetVUE Vocation across the Academy Grants are intended to help colleges and universities develop more effective ways to strengthen the link between the liberal arts and career preparation, and to include faculty members and students in a wide array of academic disciplines and applied fields in the institution’s vocational exploration programs. The award is made possible by a generous grant to the Council of Independent Colleges from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Alexis Serback
